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PC Preventative Maintenance Checklist<br />A Quick Breakdown of Things You Should Do<br /> By Day, Week, Month and Year<br />Cheska Lorena © 2010 http://misscheska.pbworks.com<br />

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Things You Should Do Every Day<br />Run malware, anti-spyware, and antivirus programs at startup.<br />Empty the Recycle Bin on the Desktop. (View Windows 7 & Windows Vista to change settings or restore files.)<br />Clean out browser files, or set the browsing history to zero. (Check here for MS IE Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Netscape and Opera Users, & Google Chrome Users)<br />Log off your user account.<br />Shut down the computer if necessary.<br />

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Things You Should Do Every Week<br />Run Disk Clean-Up Utility to get rid of temporary files, cookies, and other file debris. (Check Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP guides to set up an automatic schedule.) <br />Check hard drives for errors and capacity with Check Disk Utility. (Check Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP guides to set up an automatic schedule.)<br />Update malware and anti-virus software to download new virus definitions. (Check Windows 7 &Windows Vista for security settings.)<br />Verify all connections to computer workstations, printers, networks, and other peripheral devices.<br />

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Things You Should Do Every Month<br />Rearrange fragmented files with Disk Defragmenter Utility. (Check Windows 7,Windows Vista, & Windows XP guides to set up an automatic schedule.)<br />Backup files. (Check Windows 7 & Windows Vista guides for directions.)<br />Restore files. (Check Windows 7 & Windows Vista guides for directions.)<br />Uninstall unnecessary programs. (Check Windows 7, Windows Vista, & Windows XP for directions.)<br />

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Run Windows Updates to download patches and updates. (Check Windows 7, Windows Vista, & Windows XP to set up an automatic schedule.)<br />Wipe monitor screen with a moist paper towel or cotton cloth.<br />Clean keyboard and mouse. (See directions.)<br />Clean printers – remove dust and bits of paper with compressed air/vacuum, and run automated monthly cleaning kits.<br />Clean printers’ paper and ribbon paths with a soft cloth.<br /> Replace printer ink or other printer components as recommended by the manufacturer.<br />

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10 Things You Should Do Every Year<br />Go over the inventory lists and update if necessary.<br />Clean air vents, power supply, and fan with compressed air or vacuum.<br />Gently wipe the dust off of the computer case, tower, drives, and ports.<br />Check condition of surge suppressors and uninterruptible power supplies.<br />Ensure that chips and expansion cards are firmly seated in the slots.<br />Check ports and cable connections, and look for signs of wear on cords and wires to avoid loose connectivity problems.<br />

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Things You Should Do Whenever Changes Are Made<br />Update backup records of CMOS Setup.<br />Keep a record of software and operating systems installed on the PCs.<br />Keep a record of hardware and hardware settings installed on the PCs.<br />Record when and what preventive maintenance is performed. <br />Record any repairs done to the PCs.<br />

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References<br />Shelly, G.B., Cashman, T.J., Andrews, J., & Jedlicka, L.S. (2004). Understanding and troubleshooting your PC.Boston, Massachusetts: Thomson Learning.<br />